BACKGROUND
Folding tables are widespread, and are used in a variety of applications. Unfortunately, such tables are frequently difficult for a single user to set up and use in confined spaces, such as on the deck of a boat. In addition, such tables are not easy to clean. The industry would benefit from a folding table that is compact, easy to set up, compatible for use in narrow areas, and easy to clean.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure claims the benefit of provisional application No. 62/912,409. In one embodiment, the present disclosure describes a collapsible table configured for attachment to a support beam, scaffold, a grab bar, or other external support. The collapsible table includes a tabletop having a top surface and a bottom surface; at least one support arm, said support arm having a first end and a second end; a first hinged connection securing said second end of said support arm to said bottom surface of said tabletop; and at least one support leg secured to said bottom surface of said tabletop.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the collapsible table in the collapsed position.
FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the collapsible table in the collapsed position.
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the collapsible table in the expanded position.
FIG. 4 is bottom perspective view of the collapsible table in the expanded position.
FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway front view of the collapsible table depicting the tabletop and support arm.
FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway side view of the collapsible table depicting the tabletop and support arm.
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway side view of the collapsible table in the expanded position, depicting the support leg.
FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the collapsible table illustrating the mounting assembly being moved between an open and closed position.
FIGS. 9A through 9D are side views illustrating the collapsible table installed on a boat being moved between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The drawings included with this application illustrate certain aspects of the embodiments described herein. However, the drawings should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of modification or alteration in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The collapsible table 10 disclosed herein is particularly suited for use in narrow, confined areas where traditional collapsible tables cannot be used due to their size or difficulty of assembly.
FIGS. 1 through 4 provide one embodiment of collapsible table 10. As depicted, collapsible table 10 includes mounting assembly 12. Mounting assembly 12 acts as a first hinged connection between collapsible table 10 and the structure to which it is secured. Collapsible table 10 further includes at least one support arm 14 having a first end 16 and a second end 18. Mounting assembly 12 carries support arm(s) 14. Collapsible table 10 has a tabletop 20 which has a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. A second connecting assembly 64 carried by bottom surface 24 secures tabletop 20 to support arm 14. In most embodiments, collapsible table 10 will have at least two support arms 14a and 14b. Support arms 14a and 14b are spaced apart from one another to provide improved stability to collapsible table 10 when in the deployed position. When using two support arms 14a and 14b, each support arm 14 will be secured to tabletop 20 by separate connecting assemblies 64. Collapsible table 10 further includes a support leg 26 having a first end 28 and a second end 30. In most embodiments, a third connecting assembly 54 secures support leg 26 to collapsible table 10. In most embodiments, support leg 26 will be configured to extend between a range of lengths. In most embodiments, a separate component, bracket 32, may be secured or mounted to a floor, deck or other surface such that bracket 32 engages and secures collapsible table 10 in the collapsed or stowed position.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIGS. 7 and 8, mounting assembly 12 is suitable for securing collapsible table 10 to a separate structural component 34. Mounting assembly 12 may be configured in several different arrangements depending upon the intended use of collapsible table 10. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, mounting assembly 12 includes a tubular sleeve 36 and a screw 38. In the depicted embodiment, tubular sleeve 36 has a slot 40 that runs the length of tubular sleeve 36, a first tab 42, and a second tab 44. Optionally, tubular sleeve 36 has a hinge 46 that allows slot 40 to expand or decrease, as depicted in FIG. 8. Alternatively, slot 40 is wide enough to exceed the external diameter of structural component 34 without hinge 46. First tab 42 and second tab 44 extend outwardly from tubular sleeve 36 and are disposed on either side of slot 40. First tab 42 and second tab 44 have holes 48 and 50, respectively, disposed therein.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIGS. 7 and 8, mounting assembly 12 may be attached to structural component 34. In the depicted embodiment, hinge 46 allows slot 40 to be increased in size such that tubular sleeve 36 may be placed around structural component 34. Alternatively, tubular sleeve 36 may be made of a material of sufficient flexibility such that tubular sleeve 36 may be placed around structural component 34 without the use of a hinge. As depicted in FIG. 7, a liner 52 may be located between the interior surface of tubular sleeve 36 and structural component 34. Liner 52 may be separate from or integrated with tubular sleeve 36. Liner 52 isolates the two components to reduce wear, increase friction, and improve the stability of the connection between tubular sleeve 36 and structural component 34. As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, screw 38 passes through hole 48 of tab 42 and threaded hole 50 of tab 44. Loosening screw 38 decreases the force exerted by tubular sleeve 36 against structural component 34, which permits rotation of tubular sleeve 36 about structural component 34 such that mounting assembly 12 acts as a first hinged connection between collapsible table 10 and structural component 34. Tightening screw 38 squeezes tubular sleeve 36 against structural component 34, such that mounting assembly 12 engages and frictionally retains structural component 34 in a desired location and configuration.
Although the FIGS. depict mounting assembly 12 as being attached to a horizontal support, it will be evident that mounting assembly 12 can be configured to attach to a variety of external supports of different sizes, cross sections and orientations. Alternatively, mounting assembly 12 can be configured to fit a particular structural component, such as a bar or scaffold of known diameter that may be permanently affixed to any suitable surface using any suitable connecting means.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 7 and 9D, the first end 28 of support leg 26 is hingedly connected to the bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20. For purposes of this disclosure, “hingedly connected” means connected in a manner that permits rotation about a fixed axis. Support leg 26 can be connected by means of third connecting assembly 54 at the first end 28 of support leg 26, as depicted in FIG. 2, or by any other suitable connecting device. Support leg 26 can rotate from a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 2, to an extended position as shown in FIG. 9D, and any position in between. As shown in FIG. 7, support leg 26 can be configured to expand telescopically. For example, support leg 26 can include rod 56 having one or more hole(s) 57 disposed along the length hereof, and shaft 58 having one or more hole(s) 59 disposed along the length thereof, wherein shaft 58 is a hollow tube having a diameter suitable for receiving rod 56. To set the length of support leg 26, rod 56 is pulled out of shaft 58 to the desired length, such that one or more holes 57 of rod 56 align with one or more holes 59 of shaft 58. A pin 60 or other suitable device passes through hole 57 of rod 56 and hole 59 of shaft 58 to secure support leg 26 at that length.
Pin 60 may be fully removable from shaft 58 and rod 56 or pin 60 may carried by rod 56 as a spring biased pin. In this embodiment, spring pin 60 carried by rod 56 can be depressed to allow support leg 26 to be adjusted to the desired length. When the desired length is obtained, spring pin 60 can be aligned with any desired hole 59 in shaft 58 such that spring pin 60 extends outward through hole 59 to secure the two components at the desired length. These and other suitable arrangements allow the user to select from a number of desired locations for the second end 30 of support leg 26, depending upon the space in which collapsible table 10 is used. Second end 30 of support leg 26 may be provided with a cap 62 for purposes of reducing wear, increasing friction, and improving the stability of the connection between support leg 26 and the surface upon which it rests.
Tabletop 20 may be hingedly connected to the second end 18 of support arm 14 by any number of means. The various mechanisms and structures for enabling a hinged connection of tabletop 20 and support arm 14 can be customized as desired for a given environment in which collapsible table 10 will be used or installed. For example, in FIG. 4, a second connecting assembly 64 provides a hinged connection between second end 18 of support arm 14 and bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20. In one embodiment, the second connecting assembly 64 includes a base 66, a hole 68, screws 70 and a hinge pin 72. As depicted in the FIGS., base 66 is a right-angle bar having an L-shaped cross section with hole(s) 68 disposed therein. Base 66 is attached to bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20 with screws 70 or any other suitable mechanism for securing bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20 with base 66. Hole 68 of base 66 is aligned with a hole 74 disposed in the second end 18 of support arm 14. Hinge pin 72, when placed through hole 68 of base 66 and hole 74, completes the hinged connection between second end 18 of support arm 14 and bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20. As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 9A, base 66 and support arm 14 may be provided with hole(s) 75 and hole(s) 77, respectively. When aligned, hole 75 and hole 77 can be secured by pin 76 or other suitable mechanisms to further improve stability of collapsible table 10. When using two support arms 14a, 14b, the hinged connections of both arms will preferably be identical or mirror images of one another.
FIGS. 9A through 9D depict collapsible table 10 attached to a scaffold 78 of a boat 80 in vertical, intermediate, and horizontal positions, and demonstrate the interplay of the hinged connections depicted in the FIGS.
FIG. 9A depicts collapsible table 10 in the collapsed or stowed position. In this position, mounting assembly 12 is affixed to scaffold 78 of boat 80 and the outermost edge of tabletop 20 is located within bracket 32 to precluded unwanted movement of collapsible table 10 during boating operations. Bracket 32 is mounted to the deck 82 of boat 80. In the stowed position, bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20 is aligned with support arm 14 in a vertical configuration relative to the deck. As depicted in FIG. 9A, in the stowed position, support arm 14 is folded back against bottom surface 24 and retained by pin 76. FIGS. 9B and 9C depict the range of motion provided by mounting assembly 12 and second connecting assembly 64 during the transition of collapsible table 10 from stowed to usable configuration. The terms clockwise and counterclockwise are used herein with reference to each hinged connection as depicted in FIGS. 9A-9D. If mounted in a reverse configuration, the rotational directions would of course be reversed as well.
As depicted in FIG. 9B, in the first step of transitioning from stowed to useable configuration, support arm 14 rotates counterclockwise around scaffold 78 on the hinged connection provided by mounting assembly 12. Additionally, during the counterclockwise rotation of support arm 14, tabletop 20 rotates clockwise around second connecting assembly 64. The combined movement allows tabletop 20 to lift out of bracket 32.
The hinged connection provided by mounting assembly 12 provides a first range of motion of at least 90 degrees, preferably about 110 degrees, and, in some embodiments, 180 degrees, thereby allowing tabletop 20 to transition between the vertical and the horizontal positions. Second connecting assembly 64 provides a second range of motion covering at least 90 degrees, preferably 180 degrees, and, in some embodiments, at least 300 degrees. Initially, second connecting assembly 64 will allow tabletop 20 to rotate clockwise sufficiently to permit tabletop 20 to release from bracket 32 and swing clear of any nearby obstacles. More typically, second connecting assembly 64 provides for clockwise rotation of about 30 degrees to 90 degrees, allowing tabletop 20 to transition from a first position generally in line with support arm 14 to a second position generally perpendicular with support arm 14. Second connecting assembly 64 also provides for rotation in the counterclockwise direction allowing tabletop 20 to transition from a first position generally in line with support arm 14, as shown in FIG. 9A, through a second position generally perpendicular with support arm 14, and to a third position generally aligned with support arm 14, as shown in FIG. 9D. Once tabletop 20 has returned to alignment with arm 14, a pin 76 may be optionally placed through holes 75 and 77 to provide stability to tabletop 20, as depicted in FIGS. 9A through 9D.
FIG. 9C depicts the second step in transitioning collapsible table 10 to the useable position. As depicted, support arm 14 continues to rotate counterclockwise to a position slightly beyond alignment with deck 82, thereby allowing tabletop 20 to rotate counterclockwise without colliding with wall 84 of boat 80. The counterclockwise rotation of support arm 14 about the hinged connection provided by mounting assembly 12, combined with the simultaneous but opposite rotation of tabletop 20 about the second connecting assembly 64, enables tabletop 20 to rotate outward without interference from bracket 32, boat 80, and other obstructions.
FIG. 9D shows collapsible table 10 in the usable position. Support arm 14 has been rotated counterclockwise about the hinged connection provided by mounting assembly 12 to a substantially horizontal position. Tabletop 20 has been rotated counterclockwise about second connecting assembly 64 to a substantially horizontal position such that tabletop 20 engages with and rests on support arm 14. Support leg 26 has been adjusted for length and rotated counterclockwise about third connecting assembly 54 between first end 28 of support leg 26 and the bottom surface 24 of tabletop 20 such that second end 30 of support leg 26 rests upon a suitable surface and provides further support and stability to tabletop 20. Support leg 26 can be adjusted for length as described above.
As shown in FIGS. 9A through 9D, the hinged connections provided by mounting assembly 12 and second connecting assembly 64 enable collapsible table 10 to collapse flat against the scaffold 78, providing flexibility for placement in a variety of applications. These hinged connections further allow for a longer tabletop to be used than might otherwise be available in a confined location, as depicted in FIG. 9B. The hinged connections further allow for easy removal of debris, as depicted in FIG. 9C.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 9A through 9D, bracket 32 may be installed on any suitable surface, such as deck 82, by any suitable connecting means, such that bracket 32 restrains tabletop 20 when collapsible table 10 is in the collapsed position. The hinged connections enable tabletop 20 to engage with and be secured by bracket 32.
While various aspects, implementations, structures, devices, systems, methods, and techniques for the disclosed collapsible table have been described and/or illustrated herein, such descriptions and illustrations are presented by way of example and are not to be limited to the precise descriptions and illustrations. Accordingly, numerous modifications and variations are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. As such, the foregoing description merely enables and describes the general uses and methods of the present invention. The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the implementations and illustrations described herein, but should be defined only in accordance with the following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, the following claims define the true scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20210100351
